Apple cider vinegar has been used in home remedies for centuries. Often, there is very little evidence to support the claims made about vinegar and it's role in improving health. One of the most popular assertions is that apple cider vinegar can improve your metabolism and help you lose weight. However, only very limited research has been done in this area, and vinegar is not recommended as a weight loss supplement.
About Apple Cider Vinegar
According to "Dr. Earl Mindell's Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar," by Earl Mindell, there's nothing apple cider vinegar can't do for your health. Made from fermented apples, apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid and pectin, which are full of nutrients, making it suitable for treating acne, rashes, indigestion, and infections, according to Mindell.
Reduction in Appetite
A study published in the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in 2005 showed that apple cider vinegar could reduce the appetite. In the study, participants who had vinegar before a meal ate less and felt fuller following the meal. This could point to apple cider vinegar being used as an appetite suppressant, which could prove beneficial for weight loss; however, more research is required before vinegar could be suggested as a dietary supplement.
Metabolism
Apple cider vinegar may also help the body to metabolize carbohydrates at a faster rate. According to a study published in the journal, "Diabetes Care" in November 2007, participants who consumed vinegar before a meal experienced more stable blood glucose levels after the meal than those who weren't given vinegar. This means the body is better able to metabolize the food, preventing fat accumulation. Again, however, more research is needed to definitively claim apple cider vinegar can hasten metabolism.
Inconclusive Evidence
Despite the promising results of limited research trials, there is still no conclusive evidence tying apple cider vinegar with improved metabolism and a greater ability to lose weight. According to Katherine Zeratsky, chief nutritionist for MayoClinic.com, apple cider vinegar won't help you lose weight and could cause injury to the throat if consumed regularly. If you wish to lose weight and speed up your metabolism, the best method is still eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
References
- "Diabetes Care"; Vinegar Ingestion at Bedtime Moderates Waking Glucose Concentrations in Adults With Well-Controlled Type 2 Diabetes; Andrea M. White, PHD and Carol S. Johnston, PHD; November 2007
- "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Vinegar Supplementation Lowers Glucose and Insulin Responses and Increases Satiety after a Bread Meal in Healthy Subjects; E. --stman et al.; 2005
- "Dr. Earl Mindell's Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar"; Dr. Earl Mindell; 2002
- MayoClinic.com; Apple Cider Vinegar for Weight Loss: Effective?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.; April 2010
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